Humidifier



B. J. JOHANSSON HUMIDIFIER Filed May 12. 1924 lllllllllll fr//r/r/r/n/r/A/ Ora fvg. 4.

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Patented Oct. l2, 1926.

UNITED STATES f BROR JOHAN JOHANSSON, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FO TO ANDREW IVI. OLESTON, O

URTH r MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

HUMIDIFIER.

Application led 'May 12,

This invention relates in `gene-ral to improveniente in the art of conditioning gases, and relates more specifically to an improved humidifier which is capable of automatically maintaining a proper percentage of moisture in the air confined within buildings or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a humidifier which is simple yin construction and efficient in operation.

Some of the more specific objects and ads vantages attainable with the present improvement are as follows To provide an extremely compact and automatically functioning humidifying device which is especially adapted for use in residences, schools, hospitals, ollices and the like.

' yTo provide a humidifier which is highly eiiicient in operation `and which may be mannfactured and lsold at minimum cost.

To provide apparatus for imparting moisture to the atmosphere. which may be readily cleaned 'and maintained in `operating condition.

To provide a neat `and ornamental humidifier which is capable of conve-nient attachment Vto standard radiators yand the like, and which `may be rapidly removed when idesired. l

To provide fa device forair humidificatiom which has extremely :lange `evaporating surfaces :and lwhich is formed to permit free access and flow of air `along such surfaces.

To provide a sectional humidifier which may be increased or :diminished in 4size and capacity, at will.

1924. semi No. 712,631.

Fig. 2 is ka transverse vertical section through the humidifier of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the humidifier of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical. section through another form of improved -humidifier having the same general external shape vas that disclosed in Figs. l, 2 and 3.

Fig, 5 'is a top view of another form of improved humidifier having a flower box associated therewith.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the humidifier lshown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a top view of still another form of improved humidifier with the cover there-` of removed.

Fig. 8 is a central vertical section through the humidifier of Fig. 7.

Fig. `9 is a top view of a Arelatively simple form of improved humidifier.

Fig. 10 is a central vertical section through the humidifier (of Fig. 9,

Fig. 1l is a top view of Astill another form of improved humidifier.

Fig. 12 is a central 'vertical longitudinal `section through the humidifier of Fig.V 11.

Referring to the form of humidifier disclosed in Figs. l, 2 and 3, vthe device comprises in general a receptacle 2 formed of permeable substance, preferably porous earthen material such as baked clay, `the receptacle V2 being divided into two relatively deep and long liquid `compartnients 8 which are separated by a vertical y.air duct 10. A single trough 4 formed integral with one end of the receptacle 2, serves to simultaneously supply liquid .such as `water to both of To provide a humidifying device which the otherwise segregated compartments 3.

may be manufactured from earthen material l in various shapesa-nd sizes in v=order to :meet various conditions of use These and `other objects `and advantages resulting from 'the present invention. will be lapparent in the course of' the following description.

A clear conception 4of .a :number `of embodiments of the present improvement and of the operation of devices constructed 4in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of `.this specification in which like reference characters designate vthe same `or similar parts .in the various views.

Fig. fl is a front elevation of a `preferred form ofthe improved humidifier.

While the central air duct 10 is entirely free from obstruction, Veach of the water 'compartments 3 may be providedfwith a .plurality of reinforcing ribs 6, and the bottom of 4the receptacle 2 may also be provided with transverse strengthening'ribs 9.l The front of the receptacle 2 directly below V:the forward .compartment 3 'is preferably provided with a single relatively long horizontal air inlet opening 7 for conducting air to the central duct 10, and the back of the receptacle 2 may also be provided' with :a series -of cir` cular `openings 8 for performing a similar function. The rear wall of the receptacle 2 is provided with one or more :integral lugs 5 with which the receptacle suspension hooks 1l cooperate. The hooks 1'1- are so Aviously described receptacle 2.

formed as to permit effective suspension of the receptacle 2 from various standard hot Water or steam radiators. rl`he receptacle 2 may obviously be made of any desired length and capacity depending` upon the specific characteristics of the room which is to be humidiiied.

Referringy to the form of humidifier disclosed in Fig. Ll, the device comprises in general a receptacle 12 formed of permeable material such as porous earthen substance, and is divided into tivo relatively long', deep pockets or liquid compartments 13 which are separated by an unobstructed vertical air duct 14. The `general external shape of the receptacle 12 is the same as that of the prer1`he rear ivall of the receptacle 12 is provided with one or more integral lugs 1o with Which suspension hooks 16 are adapted to cooperate.

These hoolrs 16 previously stated in` con-- nection with the description of the hooks 11, are formed for coaction With standard radiators and with heatingy pipes. and the receptacle 12 may be modified in shape and size to meet various conditions of operation.

Referring to the form of humidifier d closed in Figs. 5 and G, the device compri s several independent similar receptacles- 117 formed of permeable earthen n'iaterial or the like, and each having therein a relatively deep liquid confining compartment 18. @ne end of each receptacle 17 is provided with a. vertical dovetail tongue 2O which is adapted to coaet ivith a dovetail groove 21 in the opposite end of an adjoining receptacle 17 to- The rear loclf` these receptacles together. ivall of each receptacle 17 may also be. provided ivith a suspension lug- 22 as shown, andthe medial rear portions of the receptacles 17 are preferably provided with lateral recesses 19. The recesses 19 are preferably of such shape that they ivill iit over the edges of successive sections of standard sectional radiators and the receptacles 17 may be held in place against such a radiator by means of Wire hooks coacting ivith the lugs 22. 7With this form of receptacles 17, the humidifier may be readily enlarged or diminished by adding or removing sections. As slioivn, the receptacles 17 are provided With locking recesses 211 for the purpose of sustaining a iioiver box 23 or other ornamentation, in front of the humidiiier.

liteferiingto the form of humidifier disclosed in Figs. '7 and 8, the device comprises an outer cylindrical cup shaped receptacle 25 and an inner cylindrical cup shaped re` ceptacle 26, the former of which may be formed of any suitable substance and the latter of which is preferably formed of 'permeable earthen material. The inner receptacle 26 forms a compartment 2S for coniining liquid, and may be provided with a removable perforated cap 31. rlhe outer re:

ceptacle 25 has an internal bore which is somewhat greater than the external diamof the inner receptacle 26. the latter being held centrally Within the former by means of lugs 27 and the tivo receptacles being` separated by the annular air duct 30. rin openingl iii the bottom of the outer rcceptacle 25 permits entry of air iuiivai'dly to the air duct 30. The Wall of the outer recen acle may be provided with an integral suspension lug' 2Q for suppoiiing;V the humidifier from a radiator or the lilfe Referring to the form of humidiaei' disclosed in ligs. 9 and 10, the device coinprises a single cup shaped rece formed of pei'n'ieable earthen mat closed in these figures represents pe.:haps the simplest cornnicrcial embodiment of the invention aside from a plain porous jar.

leferrinp; to the form of humidifier disclosed in Figs. 11 and 12, the device coinprises a single receptacle 37 foin'iing an eiiclosed liquid confiningI compartment 38 and having an upright marginal rim providing an open trough 41 surrounding the compartment 38. Vlhe receptacle 37 is preferably formed of porous earthen material and in vieiv of the fact that this device is adapted to be set directly upon a table or the like, 'the bottom should be ivaterproofed as by tglazing. The compartment 38 is accessible from the top by virtue of a removable plug 39 and may have a constrieted liquid discharge opening 40 near the bottom for the purpose of permitting direct flow of a small amount of liquid directly to'the trough 4,1 from the compartment 38.

The operation of all of the humidiliers illustrated is practically the same. During; normal operation of the devices, the liquid confining compartments are supplied With a suitable quantity of Water ivhich sloivly pere colates through the porous compartment Walls and is gradually and continuously evaporated by the dry air passing along] the wetted compartment surfaces. lf the evapo ration is rapid, the percolation automatically becomes more rapid, and vice versa. The only requirement for continued automat-ic operation of the devices, is that the compartments be properly supplied With Water, which may also be done automatically if a source of continuous supply is available.

ln the form slioivn in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, the air besides passing upwardly along the outer receptacle walls, is admitted through the openings 7 8 and passes upwardly through the air duct 10 and along the inner Walls, thus producing a compact humidifier of large capacity. ln the form shown in Fig.

4:, the air passes upwardly along the outer wetted walls of' the receptacle 12 and also flows upwardly through the central air ductlll, thus likewise producing a compact humidifier of large capacity. In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and in the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the air merely passes along outer wetted surfaces. In the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the air is humidiiied while passing upwardly through the annular air duct 30, while the humidifier of Figs. 11 and 12 presents both a wetted wall and the exposed water in the trough 41.

By attaching the humidifier directly to a radiator asis possible with all embodiments illustrated7 except that of Figs. 11 and 12, the eHiciency of the devices is greatly augmented. The heated air has greateraiiinity for moisture and therefore more rapidly evaporates the moisture from the exposed surfaces. The various receptacles may be conveniently manufactured from clay which may be machine molded and subsequently baked. The filling trough l serves to simultaneously supply liquid to both of the compartments 3 in the humidifier oit Figs. l, 2 and 3 and the sectional construction of the device of Figs. 5 and 6 permits ready variation of the capacity thereof.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that humidifiers constructed in actails of construction herein shown and described for various other modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A humidifier comprising two series of laterally spaced receptacles formed of porous earthen material and having an air conducting conduit disposed between said series and extending vertically throughout the length of said receptacles.

2. A humidifier comprising two series of integrally united laterally spaced communieating receptacles formed of porous earthen material and having a plurality of air conducting conduits separating said series and extending vertically throughout the length of said receptacles.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is aiiiXed hereto.

BROR JOHAN JOI'IANSSONr 

